The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show

Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by conservative commentator Benedict Spence and The New Statesman’s Oli Dugmore for a no-holds-barred deep dive into the stories dominating Britain. First: the latest Prince Andrew fallout — the scandal, the whispers inside royal circles, and what it means for the monarchy’s judgement and future. Then: Reform UK’s hardline border proposals, including an ICE-style enforcement unit, mass deportations, visa bans for countries that won’t take people back, and the row over “restoring Britain’s Christian heritage”. Plus: the Whitechapel flashpoint that’s gone viral — a Christian preacher, angry complaints outside a mosque, and a police officer’s blunt reminder: “This is Britain” and free speech cuts both ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Andrew’s arrest sends shockwaves through the Royal Family — and raises urgent questions about what happened, who knew, and what comes next. Host Peter Cardwell is joined by The Sun’s Thomas Godfrey from Sandringham and former Head of Royal Protection Dai Davies to unpack the police investigation, what “misconduct in public office” really means, and whether royal protection officers could face scrutiny too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick MP, Reform UK’s shadow chancellor, and Dai Davies, former head of Royal protection, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss remarkable breaking news at the start of Julia’s broadcast - that Andrew had been arrested at the Sandringham Estate for misconduct in public office. Andrew denies wrongdoing and has not yet been charged - as of the time of publishing. King Charles has released a statement saying ‘the law must take its course’. The continued release of the Epstein files have unveiled the extent of his relationship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. E-mail exchanges between the pair reveal that Andrew handed over sensitive documents to Mr Epstein in his role as trade envoy to the British government. He is currently being investigated by NINE separate police forces throughout the country. Also: Robert Jenrick reacts to a Talk exclusive - the news that various British Chaggossians have been served an eviction notice after landing on the island in protest at Britain’s deal. Keir Starmer had agreed to give away the islands and lease back the Diego Garcia military base. American president Donald Trump has flip-flopped on his support for the deal. And Robert Jenrick reacts to a BBC investigation into rape gangs in London. Sadiq Khan has previously denied any awareness of systemic grooming in the capital, despite their prevalence in other parts of the country such as Rotherham. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, former Conservative government minister, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss why he agrees with Reform MP Robert Jenrick's economic plan to cut welfare to get the economy back on track. Their conversation comes on a day when inflation fell to 3% and unemployment for 16-24 year olds rose to 16.1%. The youth unemployment rate is the highest since 2020 and worse than the EU average - precipitating a crisis that could have ramifications for decades, as unemployment when you're young makes future work less likely. Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick MP, newly announced Treasury spokesman for Reform, made a major speech to the city. He confirmed Reform would maintain Bank of England independence, maintain the Office for Budget Responsibility and would crackdown on wasteful spending. He vowed to “defuse the benefits bomb”, including by reinstating the two child benefit cap and mandating in-person assessment for sickness or disability payments. The speech came hot on the heels of the announcement that inflation had dropped to 3% - a rare piece of good news for the shambolic chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves. Shortly after Robert Jenrick's speech, it appeared there was disagreement between Mr Jenrick and Nigel Farage. Robert Jenrick vowed to maintain the triple lock on state pensions, whereas Nigel Farage said it was "open to debate". Also: How Sir Jacob would promote family-living, including by instating transferable tax allowances, and why it is a "tragedy" that 300,000 people were aborted last year. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brendan O’Neill, author and writer for Spiked Online, and Suella Braverman, Reform spokeswoman for education, skills and equalities, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss the war on woke and Reform UK’s new ‘shadow cabinet’. Reform UK announced the first four members of their ‘shadow cabinet’: the spokespeople for various ministerial roles that would make up Reform’s cabinet if they get into power. Zia Yusuf was announced as ‘shadow home secretary’, Richard Tice was announced as business, trade and energy spokesman and would be deputy PM, Robert Jenrick was announced as ‘shadow chancellor of the exchequer’, And Suella Braverman was announced as education, skills and equalities spokeswoman. She vowed to repeal the Equality Act and stop schools from creating the ‘next generation of eco-zealots’. Brendan O’Neill has just written a book - Vibe Shift - that outlines how ordinary, working class people have fought against the out-of-touch political, media and business classes to rally against woke-ism on climate, Brexit, and transgenderism. Also: Labour’s U-turn on council elections, as they announced 30 council elections would go ahead in May. Steve Reed, minister for local government, had previously sought to delay them as authorities were reorganised. But there was public outcry, as democracy would have been denied for over four million people. Reform were polling well in many of the districts that were going to have their vote denied. And how the ECHR could be used to enable family members of Gazan refugees to come to Britain. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benedict Spence, conservative commentator, and Baroness Claire Fox, independent peer and director of the Academy of Ideas, discuss how the ECHR is causing more illegal migrant hand-outs in court. High court judges ruled that the police seizure of asylum seekers’ phones amounted to a violation of European Human Rights Law, in contravention of article eight of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article eight outlines the right to a private and family life. The phones were seized as the migrants came to the country, enabling the police to gather evidence about any contact between them and people smuggling gangs. So far, an average of £6,500 per person has been paid to compensate migrants. 70 migrants have been paid. It is feared the total bill could run into the millions, as more migrants who have had phones seized make claims. Reform MP Robert Jenrick called the decision to compensate boat migrants a ‘farce’. Also: proposals to ban social media for U16s - including a potential ban on virtual private networks, used to circumvent the Online Safety Act. The news that the Home Office doesn’t know how many migrants are pretending to be children, The case of a Filipino migrant who was funded to change sex by the NHS - before being given the right to stay in the UK, And the think tank that has propelled Keir Starmer’s rise to power - Labour Together - using a PR firm to smear journalists investigating their funding. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lord Maurice Glasman, Labour peer and founder of the Blue Labour group, and James Matthewson, former Labour party spokesman, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on migration and benefits - that since prompted Keir Starmer to request an apology and legislation to give 16 year olds the vote. Also: James Matthewson on the trans issue, after it was revealed that the school shooter in British Columbia, Canada, was a trans woman. Why James thinks Julia says ‘racist things’. And Lord Maurice Glasman on the Labour government’s approach to immigration - including why Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is doing ‘a good job’. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Phillips, former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, and Debbie Hayton, journalist and author, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss two tragedies - a stabbing in London and a school shooting in Canada. Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have been left seriously injured after the attack in Brent, London. It is currently being investigated by a counter-terrorism unit. Chris Phillips discusses how to reduce knife crime, how to keep children safe, and how to improve policing to prevent incidents like this occurring again. Debbie Hayton discusses the Canadian school shooting, after the killer was described as a “gunperson” and an active shooter alert was described as a “female in a dress”. Nine people have died and twenty-five have been injured in the attack in a small village in British Columbia. The shooter was found dead with self-inflicted wounds. Rumours swirled about the perpetrator’s sexual identity - which at the time of publishing was yet to be confirmed. Also: Chris Phillips on how pro-palestine protests are inhibiting officers from doing their job - as a report reveals that they are only on the beat for three days a week because of the demands of managing regular demonstrations. And Debbie Hayton on the Scottish National Party spending £1m on legal fees to defend gender self-identification in Scotland. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karl Turner, Labour MP for Hull East, and Dan Hodges, commentator for the Mail on Sunday, discuss the latest Westminster psycho-drama as Sir Keir Starmer maintains his control of his job - for now. Morgan McSweeney, Downing Street Chief of Staff, resigned on Sunday - triggering speculation that the PM could either resign or face an imminent leadership challenge. But on Monday, his cabinet team unanimously expressed their continued support for Keir Starmer. That included both Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, who are both widely tipped as potential usurpers. Also: Karl Turner MP on what happened at a meeting between Keir Starmer and the Parliamentary Labour Party last night, Whether Keir Starmer is motivated by public service, If there should be a general election if we change leader, Dan Hodges on what we might see from the continued release of texts between Mandelson and government ministers, And whether potential leadership challengers - Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham - are ready for any leadership challenge. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lord Foulkes, Labour peer and former minister under Tony Blair, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss Keir Starmer’s chances of survival after Morgan McSweeney, No 10’s chief of staff, resigned. Morgan McSweeney and Sir Keir Starmer were previously inseparable. Morgan McSweeney followed Starmer’s rise to PM, after deciding that Starmer was the man to win power back for Labour during the Jeremy Corbyn years. When Sir Keir became Labour leader, he advised the PM on electoral strategy, which contributed to a resounding Labour victory in the 2024 general election. But he has been criticised for a failure to adequately prepare for governing - as the government quickly descended into chaos. He resigned following heavy pressure on Downing Street for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Details continue to emerge revealing the depth of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Also: Lord Foulkes defends Keir Starmer’s record in office, Darren Grimes on Reform’s plans for a shadow cabinet, And the whether Reform are being hypocritical about the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson to his role as US ambassador, given the Russian bribery scandal that engulfed Nathan Gill, former leader of Reform in Wales. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baroness Claire Fox, independent peer and director of The Academy of Ideas, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss the political fall-out from Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador. At PMQs this week, Keir Starmer admitted to knowing Mandelson sustained a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein despite Epstein’s conviction for soliciting minors for prostitution. And Keir Starmer made a speech earlier in the day responding to a backbench furore that followed the release of exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and Lord Mandelson in the latest set of Epstein files. Also: Baroness Fox describes Peter Mandelson’s actions as traitorous - but is frustrated by the possibility that this could bring Keir Starmer. She would have preferred him to go over his ‘betrayal’ of British communities. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Boulton, journalist and broadcaster, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States. He and Julia argue over Keir Starmer’s judgment - as Adam argues it was a risk worth taking to get Lord Mandelson into the role. He and Julia also discuss: Gordon Brown’s criticism of Peter Mandelson, Whether Peter Mandelson is a serial liar, And whether he should have taken the job, knowing his past. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Sweeney, journalist and author of ‘Hunting Ghislaine: Epstein, the Prince and the Presidents’ comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer show to discuss Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, government leaks, and whether Peter Mandelson can expect a criminal investigation. He and Julia also discuss: Jeffrey Epstein’s ability to manipulate, Whether Peter Mandelson is a ‘traitor’, How damaging this is for Keir Starmer, And why it seems to be one rule for elites and another for everyone else. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dai Davis, former head of Royal protection, and Benedict Spence, Conservative commentator, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer to discuss: New revelations about the links between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein, after a new tranche of files were released. The files allege Jeffrey Epstein made substantial payments to both Lord Mandelson and his partner at the time - £55,000 to Peter Mandelson, and £10,000 to his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. A photograph of Lord Mandelson in his underwear speaking to a woman also emerged. Dai questions whether the security service should have known better - and discusses who in the Royals might have known what was going on. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimmy Lai is a British citizen and media billionaire who used his newspaper Apple Daily to promote democracy in Hong Kong. He was arrested in 2020 for sedition under new national security laws, and still awaits sentencing. Sebastien said he expects his father to see out the rest of his life in prison, unless there is diplomatic intervention. His son, Sebastien Lai, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss: His father’s detainment. Keir Starmer’s visit to China, and whether the UK is right to pursue closer economic ties with the Chinese. And whether the UK should pursue more concessions from trade talks, after approving the super-embassy in London and the first prime ministerial visit to Beijing in eight years. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Truss comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss: Keir Starmer’s visit to China, whether he is ‘kow-towing’, the Chinese Communist Party spying on the British government, and what Britain stands to benefit from closer ties to the country. Liz Truss’ legacy in government - and whether she was ‘sabotaged’ by the civil service. Liz Truss’ record on fighting against lockdowns during Covid. What she makes of the political ‘psycho-drama’ and whether she has been approached by Reform UK. Keir Starmer’s pro-bono work that led to persistent, fresh inquiries into veterans. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Tugendhat and Richard Tice come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform UK. Tom Tugendhat discusses former home secretary Suella Braverman’s outspoken criticism of the Conservative party. Richard Tice answers whether Nigel Farage’s party has been damaged by Tory defections. Julia asks whether there is any point voting for Reform while so many former Conservatives join the party. Richard also asks about the upcoming Labour defection which was delayed. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karl Turner MP comes on Julia Hartley-Brewer's show to discuss the National Executive Committee blocking Andy Burnham's attempt to run as Labour Party candidate for Gorton and Denton. A by-election is due to be held in the consituency after Andrew Gwynne resigned due to ill-health. He was sacked from his ministerial position and the Labour party over WhatsApp messages that insulted consitutents and other politicians. Also: Julia and Benedict discuss the BBC's coverage of Iran and the second ICE shooting in Minneapolis, and Shabana Mahmood's police reform proposals as she announces a 'British FBI'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer show after Donald Trump announced a deal had been made over Greenland. European NATO members had feared the US president’s threats to take over the Danish territory would destroy the alliance. Kemi Badenoch tells the show her view of the deal and how she would manage transatlantic relations. Also: Ms Badenoch discussed how she would increase defence spending, whether she supports a social media ban for U16s, Britain’s approach to China after the approval of the super-embassy, and uniting the right of British politics. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the show on Wednesday, Julia Hartley-Brewer spoke to Brendan O’Neill, chief political writer at Spiked Online, and Baroness Kate Hoey, independent peer. Brendan O’Neill reacts to Donald Trump saying Britain needs “straightening out” and that “London is having a lot of problems”. Brendan also says that Trump’s threats to take Greenland have prompted hypocritical criticism from the EU. Donald Trump joined other world leaders at Davos, Switzerland later in the day. Keir Starmer didn’t attend. Also: Baroness Kate Hoey says she is not the figure currently rumoured to defect to Reform UK - and she discusses local elections being cancelled, the Chinese super-embassy, and the rising numbers of people who are on benefits without the requirement to look for work. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts from Monday to Thursday on Talk, 10AM until 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.